The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Air Peace

  • Air Peace deepens maintenance reputation

    …… Seals aircraft spares deal with Embraer

    Air Peace has demonstrated the premium it places on safety and maintenance of its fleet as it has signed a multi-year aircraft spare parts deal with plane maker, Embraer.
    The deal, the airline confirmed in a statement, would cover more than 250 components for the six Embraer 145 jets it recently added to its fast-growing fleet in line with its drive to connect unserved and underserved domestic and regional routes under its subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper.
    The deal was unveiled at the ongoing MRO Europe 2018 summit in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Air Peace currently has the biggest fleet of Embraer 145 jets on the West Coast of Africa.

    Read Also: Air Peace receives fifth Embraer regional jet

    Air Peace Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide described the deal as a guarantee of “efficiency and competitive results”.
    She said: “The Pool and EPEP+ Programs are natural fit and the best options as they offer sensible, cost effective and practical parts solution to our business, guaranteeing efficiency and competitive results. We recognise very good performance of Embraer’s services and support.”

  • Air Peace receives fifth Embraer regional jet

    Air Peace at the weekend  took delivery of its fifth Embraer 145 Regional Jet , assuring that the development has deepened its capacity to relaunch its flights to Sokoto and start its Katsina service.

    The carrier, which had earlier received four of the six 50-seater Embraer 145 Regional  aircraft it recently acquired, said its goal of unifying Nigeria through air transport and extending its flight operations to unserved and underserved cities was fast being realised under its subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper.

    A statement signed by Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the latest delivery touched down at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at the weekend.

    The new aircraft, marked 5N-BUX and named Udoka Ozor (Nee Onyema), the statement added, would be deployed on the Sokoto and Katsina routes in about two weeks’ time.

     

     

    “We are pleased to announce the arrival of our fifth Embraer 145 aircraft in Lagos. The aircraft, which is marked 5N-BUX and named Udoka Ozor (Nee Onyema), landed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos about 6.30 p.m. on Sunday, October 14, 2018.

    “We have now received a total of five of the six Embaer 145 aircraft we recently acquired as part of our fleet expansion project. We are delighted that with the arrival of the aircraft, we will relaunch our Sokoto operations and start our Katsina service in the next two weeks.

    “Air Peace is committed to our no-city-left-behind project under our subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper. We are honoured that our involvement in the aviation industry is fulfilling our goal of uniting Nigeria through air transport, creating thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities and lifting Nigeria’s economy.

    “We assure the flying public and Nigeria that we will continue to deliver exceptional flight services and create massive employment opportunities for the people with our domestic, regional and international operations. We our indeed grateful to our valued guests and solicit their continued support as we take greater steps to make our dear nation proud in the global aviation community,” Air Peace said

     

  • Air Peace receives fifth Embraer regional jet

    Air Peace at the weekend took delivery of its fifth Embraer 145 Regional Jet , assuring that the development has deepened its capacity to relaunch its flights to Sokoto and start its Katsina service.

    The carrier, which had earlier received four of the six 50-seater Embraer 145 Regional aircraft it recently acquired, said its goal of unifying Nigeria through air transport and extending its flight operations to unserved and undeserved cities was fast being realized under its subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper.

    A statement signed by Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the latest delivery touched down at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at the weekend.

    The new aircraft, marked 5N-BUX and named Udoka Ozor (Nee Onyema), the statement added, would be deployed on the Sokoto and Katsina routes in about two weeks’ time.

    Read Also: Air Peace relaunches Asaba route

    “We are pleased to announce the arrival of our fifth Embraer 145 aircraft in Lagos. The aircraft, which is marked 5N-BUX and named Udoka Ozor (Nee Onyema), landed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos about 6.30 p.m. on Sunday, October 14, 2018.

    “We have now received a total of five of the six Embaer 145 aircraft we recently acquired as part of our fleet expansion project. We are delighted that with the arrival of the aircraft, we will relaunch our Sokoto operations and start our Katsina service in the next two weeks.

    “Air Peace is committed to our no-city-left-behind project under our subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper. We are honoured that our involvement in the aviation industry is fulfilling our goal of uniting Nigeria through air transport, creating thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities and lifting Nigeria’s economy.

    “We assure the flying public and Nigeria that we will continue to deliver exceptional flight services and create massive employment opportunities for the people with our domestic, regional and international operations. We our indeed grateful to our valued guests and solicit their continued support as we take greater steps to make our dear nation proud in the global aviation community,” Air Peace said

     

  •  Air Peace claims loss of N60m as NLC strike disrupts operations

    Air Peace said yesterday that its flight operations were disrupted by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos for more than four hours

    The airline, according to its Chairman, Allen Onyema, lost more than N60 million as revenue that would have accrued from the disrupted flights.

    Onyema said although the NLC and its members have the right to agitate for minimum wage, it was wrong to hide under such guise to damage the airline’s property at the terminal and disrupt the movement of passengers going about their normal business.

    He said it was wrong for the protesting unions to single out the carrier while others were allegedly allowed to fly.

    He said the negative impact of such action would spill over and affect the flight rotations of the carrier.

    Speaking in an interview in Lagos, Onyema said: “In the early hours of Friday, the NLC led their troop to the GAT and disrupted our flight operations for four hours.

    “This led to thousands of passengers being stranded and resulting in the loss of revenue running into over N60 million.

    “We think this was a selective action. They pushed down our computers and started fighting our staff. This is not good for the health of the industry. “

    He however called on government to support indigenous carriers by providing operational infrastructure to eliminate flight delays because of limited screening and scanning machines at the terminals.

    “If many airports have air field lighting, airlines could operate into them any time of the day. Through this, the aircraft would be in the skies with the assurance that it could land at any airport any time of the day with the right landing aids.”

    Onyema said government should be conscious of the fact that good airports assist to drive hub status, and not the wrongly held view that it is airlines that develop hubs.

    He berated aviation authorities for not allocating space to Air Peace for lounges at airports preparatory to its international operations.

    “The airport authority will not allocate space to us at the airports for passengers lounge, but it is giving such out to foreign carriers. Is this how to support Nigerian carriers?” he queried.

  • Air Peace relaunches Asaba route

    Air Peace has unveiled plans to restart its daily Lagos-Asaba-Lagos flight operations on October 8.

    The airline, which pulled out of the route over two years ago due to safety concerns with respect to the runway of the Asaba Airport, said it would also add Abuja-Asaba-Abuja flights to the service.

    A statement by Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Chris Iwarah, said the airline decided to return to the Asaba route to end the nightmare of air travellers seeking to connect the Delta State’s capital, Anambra and other adjoining cities.

    Air Peace, the statement assured, was going to offer unparalleled on-time, convenient, safe and affordable flight services on the Lagos-Asaba-Lagos and Abuja-Asaba-Abuja routes.

    “We are pleased to announce our return to the capital of Delta State, Asaba starting October 8, 2018. Air Peace had to suspend flight operations to the Asaba Airport more than two years ago due to safety concerns with the facility.

    “Since we suspended our operations to the airport, members of the flying public have inundated us with calls and appeals to return to end their nightmare on the route. While we could feel their pain, there really was not much we could do about it since our decision to pull out was anchored on safety, an issue we could never compromise.

    “We are however, thankful that the Delta State Government had to intervene to give the airport a facelift. We have been assured that the airport is now safe to operate into and we cannot but move in immediately to end the woes of members of the flying public wishing to travel to Asaba, Anambra and other connecting cities.

    “We are not just restoring our daily Lagos-Asaba-Lagos service, we are also adding Abuja-Asaba-Abuja flights to the offering to meet the yearnings of members of the flying public. It promises to be quite an exciting time once more on the Asaba route beginning from October 8”, the statement said.

  • Air Peace relaunches Asaba route October 8

    ……Adds Abuja to service

    Air Peace has unveiled plans to restart its daily Lagos-Asaba-Lagos flight operations on October 8.

    The airline, which pulled out of the route more than two years ago due to safety concerns with respect to the runway of the Asaba Airport, said it would also add Abuja-Asaba-Abuja flights to the service.

    A statement signed by Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the airline decided to return to the Asaba route to end the nightmare of air travellers seeking to connect the Delta State capital, Anambra and other adjoining cities.

    Air Peace, the statement assured, was going to offer unparalleled on-time, convenient, safe and affordable flight services on the Lagos-Asaba-Lagos and Abuja-Asaba-Abuja routes.

    Read Also: Air Peace deepens regional operations with night flights

    “We are pleased to announce our return to the capital of Delta State, Asaba starting October 8, 2018. Air Peace had to suspend flight operations to the Asaba Airport more than two years ago due to safety concerns with the facility.

    “Since we suspended our operations to the airport, members of the flying public have inundated us with calls and appeals to return to end their nightmare on the route. While we could feel their pain, there really was not much we could do about it since our decision to pull out was anchored on safety, an issue we could never compromise.

    “We are, however, thankful that the Delta State Government had to intervene to give the airport a facelift. We have been assured that the airport is now safe to operate into and we cannot but move in immediately to end the woes of members of the flying public wishing to travel to Asaba, Anambra and other connecting cities.

    “We are not just restoring our daily Lagos-Asaba-Lagos service; we are also adding Abuja-Asaba-Abuja flights to the offering to meet the yearnings of members of the flying public. It promises to be quite an exciting time once more on the Asaba route beginning from October 8”, the statement said.

  • We represent Nigeria’s greatness, Air Peace tells Nigerians in Ghana

    Air Peace has  assured Nigerians resident in Ghana that its strides in the aviation industry in West Africa are to project the image of the country positively across the world.

    The airline made the declaration at the Nigerian Charity Bazaar hosted by the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana in collaboration with the Nigerian Women Association in Ghana, among other pro-Nigerian groups.

    The bazaar was held at the Nigeria House, Accra to rally Nigerians from all walks of life and friends of Nigeria to celebrate the nation’s unity in diversity and commitment to charity.

    Speaking at the event graced by Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Michael Olufemi Abikoye, the ambassadors of Pakistan, India, China to Ghana, members of the diplomatic corps as well as leaders of the Nigerian community in Ghana, Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the airline was changing the negative narrative about Nigeria through its exceptional flight services.

    Read Also: Air Peace orders 10 737 MAX planes from Boeing

    Iwarah, who addressed the diplomats and other dignitaries during a visit to Air Peace stands at the bazaar, said the airline had deepened its commitment to creation of seamless connections in Nigeria, Africa and the world with the signing of an agreement with Boeing for the delivery of 10 brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

    Air Peace, he said, was the first and only airline on the West Coast of Africa to order the state-of-the-art aircraft from Boeing. He assured that the carrier, which had so far taken delivery of two of the four Boeing 777 aircraft it recently acquired for its long-haul services to Houston, London, Dubai, Sharjah, Mumbai, Guangzhou-China and South Africa, would continue to strive to make Nigerians proud with its flight operations.

  • Air Peace orders 10 737 MAX planes from Boeing 

    Air Peace has signed an agreement with  Boeing Corporation  for the acquisition of 10 brand new 737 MAX 8 aircraft, making history as the first airline in West Africa to add the equipment to its fleet.

    Air Peace operates Boeing 737s and Embraer 145s on its domestic and regional routes. The airline, which recently added Boeing 777s to its fleet, is planing to launch its international flight operations.

    Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony at the residence of US Consul General in Lagos, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Mr Allen Onyema said the airline was more positioned to lift Nigeria’s economy, create jobs and transform air travel.

    “We are excited to add the 737 MAX to our fleet as we expand our network to offer more destinations and serve more passengers,” said Onyema.

    He added: “The fuel efficiency and superior operating economics of the 737 MAX will ensure that the aircraft will play a major role in growing our business in the years to come.”

    He commended Boeing, the governments of Nigeria and the United States (U.S.)  as well as Fidelity Bank for their roles in assisting the airline to achieve the feat.

    Boeing Commercial Airplanes Sales Director Mr. Larry Tolliver praised Air Peace for the feat.

    The new aircraft, he assured, would drastically cut the airline’s cost of operations.

    The U.S. Consul-General in Lagos, Mr John Bray, assured Air Peace of the support of his country’s government.

    The Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, for his part, praised Onyema for his integrity and hard work.

    He said Fidelity Bank supported airline because of its financial discipline and sound business model

    The 737 MAX 8 is part of a family of airplanes that offer 130 to 230 seats and the ability to fly up to 3,850 nautical miles (7,130 kilometers). With improvements such as the CFM International LEAP-1B engine and Advanced Technology winglets, the 737 MAX will help Air Peace save more than 20 per cent on fuel costs compared to its current single-aisle airplanes.

    The MAX 8, in particular, offers airlines 13 more seats than its closest competitor, seven per cent lower costs for each of those seats, and 300 miles more range.

    “Africa is a growing market for commercial airplanes and we are proud that airlines like Air Peace are selecting Boeing aircraft to be part of that growth,” said Marty Bentrott, Boeing Sales vice president for Middle East, Turkey, Russia, Central Asia & Africa. “This order reflects the strong demand that we are seeing for the 737 MAX as airlines choose the airplane’s superior performance and reliability.”

    The 737 MAX is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 4,700 orders from 102 customers worldwide.

  • Air Peace flight returns to base over false smoke alarm

    ….. NCAA renews licence

    Air Peace Lagos-Owerri flight returned to base on Friday after a passenger on board informed the crew that he detected smoke in the cabin.

    This is just as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has renewed the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of the carrier after months of rigorous audit of its operations.

    A statement issued by Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the Owerri-bound flight had to return to Lagos as a precautionary measure and in line with the airline’s zero-risk policy.

    The flight, the statement said, landed smoothly in Lagos with passengers on board maintaining their calm.

    Checks by Air Peace engineers, the statement added, confirmed that there was no smoke anywhere in the aircraft.

    “We confirm that our 9 a.m. Lagos-Owerri flight returned to base on Friday after one of our esteemed guests informed our crew that he was smelling smoke in the cabin. Although nothing indicated in the flight deck that there was anything wrong with the aircraft, our crew decided to return to base as a precautionary measure and in compliance with our zero-risk policy.

    Read Also: Our plans for international operations, by Air Peace

    “The aircraft landed smoothly in Lagos and our team of engineers immediately conducted thorough checks on the aircraft while all our guests calmly remained in their seats. The checks confirmed that there was neither smoke nor any other fault with the aircraft. Despite the assurances of our engineers that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the aircraft, we decided to transfer our valued guests to another aircraft to enable our teams do another round of checks in line with our high safety standards.

    “We commend our valued guests for their calm disposition and cooperation while the checks lasted. Although checks by our engineers confirmed that the aircraft was in perfect working condition, we encourage our guests to always feel free to share anything they notice in our flight operations with us as critical stakeholders of the Air Peace family”, the airline said.

    In another development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has renewed the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of the carrier after subjecting its operations to months of rigorous audit.

    The AOC signed by the Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Usman Muhtar, said Air Peace was authorised to undertake scheduled, cargo and charter operations.

    Speaking on the development, Iwarah said it confirmed the sustenance of the high standard of Air Peace’s flight operations.

    The airline assured that it would continue to place the safety of its guests and crew above any other consideration.

  • Air Peace deepens regional operations with night flights

    Air Peace is  boosting its regional operations with the introduction of night flights out of Lagos, Accra, Banjul and Dakar.

    A statement by the carrier’s Corporate Communications Manager, Chris Iwarah quoted the Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide as saying the new flights were part of the airline’s strategy to make air travel on the West Coast of Africa seamless and more beneficial.

    Olajide described the  night flights, which commenced from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Sunday, as a relief for business and leisure travellers on the West Coast looking to utilize their trips to transact their business unrushed.

    “We keep reviewing our regional operations in line with our promise to provide seamless, on-time and comfortable flight services. Whatever the travel needs of our esteemed guests, we want to be able to provide a service that fits their plans.

    “We have been operating on the West Coast of Africa for more than a year and a half. One thing we have come to realise is that a lot of persons like to travel at night and get to their destinations on time to do their transactions in a calm, unhurried and fruitful manner. This is the interest we are catering to with the introduction of night flights.